Sealing mechanism for packaging machines



.Fuy 20, 1937.

H. W. DYM ENT SEALING MECHANISM FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l July 20, 1931. H. w. DYMENT SEALING MECHANISM FOR PACKAGING MACHINESl 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 30, 1955 Patented July 2G, 1937 UNTE el ST'ES i? FFEQE SEALENG: MECHANISM FOR PACKAGING MACHNES Harry l/Vilson Diyment, Cleveland, Ohio Application December 30, 1935, Serial No. 56,825

i3 Claims.

The present invention embodies improvements in machines designed for sealing packages or cartons wherein there is employed adhesive tape intended to be applied to the package or carton in 5 such a manner as to partially encircle the same. The machine of the invention is particularly adapted for the nal application of an adhesive or sealing tape to adjacent edges of closing flaps of a carton in such a manner that these edges are eifectively secured and sealed together, the tape additionally being caused to be folded about the ends of the carton and against the bottom thereof so as to make more effective the sealing action of said tape.

My improvements herein represent a carrying forward of the features of my invention of carton or package sealing machine of my copending application Serial No. 32,680, filed July 22, 1935, the improvements hereof dealing primarily with the tape feeding, cutting, and applying devices.

While my previous machine works excellently for the purposes thereof, I have found that I am enabled to simplify somewhat the construction of the above noted features of the machine by adopting a unit or carrier frame structure which supports the tape guiding, applying, cutting, and pressure devices, said carrier frame being susceptible, by a single adjustment, of adapting the said various devices for operation upon a' carton of predetermined thickness which is fed through the machine for the purpose of enabling the adhesive and sealing tape to be properly applied thereto.

My improvements hereof involve a novel form of cutting mechanism, the operation of which is controlled in a somewhat different manner than heretofore proposed in my previous machine of the application aforesaid, and further involves improving devices for insuring the proper folding and pressing of certain portions of the sealing tape against the ends of the package, or carton, Whatever it may be, and the proper wiping of these ends of the tape into sealing engagement with the under-side of the package, at both of its ends. I have found that these last mentioned opcrations of folding the tape against the ends of the package, pressing it into tight engagement therewith, and wiping certain free ends of the tape when cut into proper sealed connection with the underside of the package, are somewhat delicate operations to be performed mechanically, but I have now designed mechanism of great efficiency for accomplishing these operations after the manner stated, and said mechanism with the control- (ci. cie-22) ling parts thereof constitute an important feature of the present invention.

My improved embodiment of my machine as above set forth is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a partial top plan view of that portion of the machine which contains the improvements hereinbefore outlined.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the parts of the machine that are illustrated in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a tcp plan fragmentary view illustrating the control mechanism for operating the endless chain wiper device.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view sho-wing more particularly the parts that are illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a View of the rocking wiper device of Figure illustrated in its upward position.

In describing my invention, the entire machine thereof is not illustrated because I may employ the feeding hopper and mechanism for feeding the cartons therefrom as illustrated in my previous application, or any conventional mechanism for performing the same function. It will be understood, therefore, that my machine may comprise a main frame A, longitudinally of which will be disposed a conveyer comprising spaced sprocket chains l and 2, these sprocket chains traveling in the direction of the arrows a shown in Figure 2. The conveyer chains i and 2 are equipped with 'upwardly projecting lugs 3 at intervals in the lengths thereof, which lugs periodically engage a carton, box, or package @l as the chains travel along the main frame A of the machine, several of said cartons being illustrated in Figure 2 at their different locations or spacings in the process of feeding the same through the machine. While the cartons or members #i may be of boxlike form, it is within the purview of the invention that the packages comprised thereby may take other forms, this being immaterial to a disclosure of the present improvements.

The frame A carries lower pressure rollers 5 and upper pressure rollers 6 in contact with which the adhesive or sealing tape l passes. The tape 'l is fed from a suitable supply roll 8 underneath a guide roller 9, thence over a moistening brush ID which moistens the under-adhesive side of the tape. From the moistener iii the tape passes downwardly underneath a guide plate ll to approximately the point where the tape is rst applied to the adjacent carton, as seen in Figure 2, said carton moving under xed pressure of the engaging lugs 3 of the conveyer chains I and 2 rightward or forward, according to the illustration of Figure 2. The tape 1 is caused to be pressed downwardly and rmly against the upper side of the carton 4 by the upper rollers 6,

and if the carton is of the type which has two longitudinal top closing flaps, the tape will be engaged with the adjacent edges of the flaps and span the space therebetween, if; any. Three of the pressure rollers S /act upon the tape to press it rmly against the upper side of the carton V4 as the carton moves from the position of the carton 4 at the left in Figure 2 to the position of the carton 4 in the middle of Figure 2.

The cartons to be sealed are moved through the machine in spaced relation with respect to each other, and the distance between Ysucceeding cartons is dependent upon the distance between the adjustable lugs 3; the latter may be adjusted for handling cartons of various lengths.

The sealing tape applied to the cartons 4, 4a and 4b Vforms a membrane connecting said cartons. However,y the sealing tape between Ycartons V4a and 413| has just been severed by the sealing upward or downward movement of plate I2 'around its .axis IiiY causes corresponding movements of the cutter blade I6. The upwardmovement is effected when'a carton movingthrough the machine engages plate I2, while the downward movement of theblade takes place when the plate I2 slides oif the carton while the latter proceeds in its movement to the right, see Figure 2.

From Figure 2 it will therefore Vbe noted that k the plate I2 has slid off the carton 4b and has dropped downwardly, causing a corresponding movement of bar I5 and blade I6, the latter severing the tape in the middle between cartonsY 4b and 4a. Such downward movement of parts I2, I4, I5, and I6 under the force of gravity po- Vsitionsplate I2-in such .a manner as to be engaged and lifted again by the following carton. 4a `and a corresponding lifting of blade I6 is thereby produced. As long as the plate I2 is in engagement with the carton 4a the parts I2, I4, I5,

rand IE are held in their upper position.V When the car-tonda. has proceeded so far to the right that plate i2 disengages from. the same, the next cutting takes place. In this manner the cutting Vactions repeat while the cartons pass through the machine. Y

The length of the plate will have to be such as necessary to effect the cutting operation at the proper time. Y

A spring I'! may be provided to assist the gravitative movement of the control plate I2 and bar l5 in effecting the cutting action and to prevent locking between the teeth'of membersY I4 and I5 when these members are inr their upper position.

A pressure member I8, pivotally arranged at I within frame 43 and'directly above the sealing tape, is provided. This pressure member I8 comprises an angular end 18a. which rests upon the lsealing tape on account of its Vown weight and which forces the sealing tape downwardly and in sealing Contact with theend portion of the carton, so as to bend the tape around the corner of It will therefore `be seen that the cartonbetween its upperY and forward end, see Figure 2, carton 4b'.

When the tape'is applied in'this manner, the free end I8 will hang downwardly as clearly seen in Figure 2, this being desirable to permit an effective'application of the free end of the sealing tape to the cartonV by aV wiper 24 described later on.

Movement of carton 4a to the right from Ythe position shown in Figure 2 will force the member I8'V upwardly and the same rides upon the upper surface of the carton and sealing tape until the next following carton 4 approaches pressure member I8 and the tape cutting action between carton 4 and Vdaftakes place, whereupon member I8 acts to apply the free forward end of the tape to carton 4 now'adjacent the same.

somewhat U-form. The pivotal axis 2| of the wiper frame- 29 is a shaft which carries an arm 22 actuated by a spring 23 so as to pull upwardly on the right-hand portion of the frame 2l)y to Vbring the frame 20 into the position shown in Figure 5,` so Vthat the Vwiper member 24, `carried by the frame 2li, will be in the path of movement of the Ycarton 4a and will engage with the cut pendent portion of the sealing tape 1 at the front end of the carton so that as the carton'progresses by the wiper member 24, the latter will wipe said free; out end of the tape against Vthe lower forward corner and under-side of the carton or receptacle. A spring 25 Vcooperating with the member 24 permits the latter to yield downwardly and let the carton 4a travel forwardly as the member 24 performs its pressing or wiping function on the portion of the tape I described.

It is notable that the `action of the wiper member 24 in initially applying the tape is supplemented by a further pressing or wiping action of wiper brush mechanism later to be described.

It will now be assumed that the carton 4a has progressed to the position of the right-hand carton 4b of Figure 2, after the cutting of the sealing Vtape between cartons 4 and 4a in themanner previously described, and is nowready for the final firm Ypressing of the sealing tape at the right-hand'end thereof into engagement therewith. The nal proper pressing of the pendent cut portion of the tape 'I at the left-hand end of the carton into sealing contact therewith is likewise to be treated.

The above two actions are accomplished in the following way-As the, carton 4a, which may now be called carton 4b because the` same'is in Vthe proper kposition for the purposes of thefollowing description, lextends beneath an applica- Vtor roller 26, this roller, because it is made of sponge rubber and because its periphery is somewhat below the plane of the upper side of the carton 4b, effectively forces the` tape 'I at the left-hand end of the carton and atthe VupperV left corner into rm engagement with the said corner and the top portion of the end. This action is highly desirable in obtaining an effective action of applying the sealing tape to the left- Yhand portion of the package or carton.

The wiper mechanism previously mentioned consists of a series of wiper brushes?! carried byV the endless chains 28 which pass around sprocket iol wheels 29 and 3G. 'Ihe sprocket wheels 29 are carried by a shaft 3i which also carries a small gear wheel 32. The gear wheel 32 is meshed with a rack 33 slidably mounted in a frame or guide 32 said rack being connected by a link 34 with an arm 35 ostanding from a forward wipe lever Se. The lever 36 is connected by a link S8 with the back wipe lever 39. The lever 39 is pivoted at di) to a Suitable supporting memberl of the frame, while lever 35 is pivoted to the frame A at 39.

The forward. wipe lever is so called because it is an actuating lever for imparting movement to the rack 33 to cause a rightward movement of said rack turning the gear 32 in a clockwise manner as shown by the full line arrow of Figure 4. This turning of the gear 32 is effected with such speed that a quick actuation of the chains Z8 carrying the wiper brushes 2 to be shifted from the position of Figure 2 around the sprocket wheel 29 into. engagement with the pendent cut portion of the tape l at the left-hand end of the carton 4b. In this way the wiper brushes 2l press firmly and o uickly against the said pendent out portion of the tape 'l and thus apply it firmly to the end and bottom portions of the carton do at the left end of the latter. While the brushes move toward the right end of the carton the tape previously applied by wiper 24 is additionally pressed into rm adhesive contact with the carton, then the brushes pass from beneath the carton at its right side and partially around the sprocket wheels 3Q from where they immediately return backward to their original position, as will be clearly understood from the following. The actuation of the chain Z8 and the wiper members 2l in the above manner, through actuation of the rack 33 and gear 32 is caused by one of the abutment lugs 3 which cooperate to feed the cartons 4, da, and lb on the conveyor chains l and 2 engaging with the forward wipe lever 3B inI the manner which is shown in Figure 3. In this. figure the lug 3 is just about to strike the wipe lever 35 and cause it to move into the dotted line position illustrated, so as to accomplish what is termed herein the forward wiping action of the brush 3l.

This brings us to the back-wipe action of the brushes 21 by which is meant that these brushes are given a movement in a direction opposite that previously described, so that they will turn about the right-hand sprocket gear 39, while carried by the chain 23, and will have a back-wiping aotion on the portion of the tape at the front end cf the carton 2 beneath the front end portion thereof. The purpose of this back wiping action is to supplement the sealing applying action of the tape which is performed by the brushes 2 upon their forward movement, previously described, and the wiper member 2d, the operation of which has been set forth.

Bearing in mind that the forward wipe lever 36 is connected to the back wipe lever 39, when the lever 36 reaches the dottedl line: position shown in Figure 3, the lug 3, that has caused it to move to such position, escapes therefrom by passing over the end of the lever.

The lug 3 now engages lever 39 which has moved from its full to the dotted line position in Figure 3 by the action of the lever 35 with which itis interconnected by a lever S8. Lug 3 shifts lever 3S! now back to full line position, causing movement of rack 33, gear 32, and sprocket gears cent sprocket gears 30 to their original position, as shown in full lines in Figure 2.

The wiping unit 28 is connected by means of a lever Z2 and spring 23 to. lever 36, and upon movement of lever 36 toits dotted line position in Figure 3, the spring is tensio-ned, which causes the elevating of the wiping unit to the position shown in Figure 5, and as hereinbefore described. The arrangement is such that the unit 2Q will be raised sometime before the respective carton, adjacent unit 2t, has passed the same.

From the foregoing will be seen therefore that the Wiper mechanism comprising the brushes 2l is. a reversibly operable device, being rst actuated to firmly apply the front cut end of the tape at the left hand end of the carton 4b to the end and bottom of the carton, and thereafter cause a final firm pressing and engagement of the corresponding right-hand end of the tape to the right-hand end and bottom of the carton., supplementing the previous application of this portion of the tape thereto.

Upon reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that after the carton lb has passed the applicator roller 2@ and the final pressing roller 4l, the action of completely applying the sealing tape thereto is accomplished and the carton completely sealed passes through a :final pressure shoe 42 of such a machine upon a conveyer or into a hopper or any suitable packaging receptacle One of the important phases of my invention has been to utilize an auxiliary adjustable frame d3 which carries the moistener lil, the rollers 6, the cutter bar l5, and its blade it, the applicator roll 2t of sponge rubber, and the inal pressing roller il and shoe d2. The said auxiliary frame es is carried by a vertical standard M and is adjustable so as to be raised and lowered by a screw or any suitable manual means 45. In this way all the various operating parts described as being carried by the frame 0.3 will be vertically adjusted in proper spaced relation to the conveyer chains l and 2, the vertical adjustment being intended to accommodate for feeding through the machine between the said parts, and the conveyer chains l and 2, of cartons,'packages, boxes, or the like, of different vertical thicknesses. It will be apparent from Figure 2 that the standard lil will be carried by a yoke or some other portion d@ of the main frame of the machine, and the supporting arms il for the Sealing tape roll 8 are likewise carried by a yoke dt.

The levers dfi and 3Q extend into the path of the lugs 'through a slot 4S in the chain guide member d. 'I'his slot is of suiiicient length to permit the free operation of said levers as will be clearly understood from Figure 3.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. In a machine for applying sealing tape t0` cartons, carton conveying mechanism, a main frame supporting the conveying mechanism, and means for pressing the tape against the forward traveling end of the carton on the conveyer, including a pressure plate having an angular portion. to press the tape against the front upper corner portion of the front end of the carton as the carton progresses through the machine of the conveyer.

2. A machine as claimed in claim l, Combined with a cutter bar control plate, and a cutter bar interconnected with the control plate and movable in accordance with the movement of the latter, said control plate being disposed in the Y the cutting bar.

Vpath of travel of the cartons moved by the concarton con'veyer Vmeanswthereon for moving cartons through the machine, sealing tape applying means for aflixing sealing tape to the carton Vlengthwise thereof at the top portion, cutting mechanism for cutting the tape so that pendent portions of the tape extend downwardly of the ends of the carton from the top thereof, and reversible mechanism for imparting a forward wiping applicator Contact of the pendent portion of the tape at the rear end of the carton, to the said end and bottom of the carton, and for correspondingly causing a wiping applicator contact of the pendent Yend of the tape at the front end of the carton to the bottom portion of the carton. Y Y Y 4; A machine as set forth in claim 3, combined with devices carried by the conveyer for controlling the reversible action of the said wiper mechanism.

5. In a machine for applying sealing tape to cartons or the like, in combination, a main frame, a conveyer movable therealong for carrying cartons through the frame, adhesive Vtape applicator means for applying an adhesive tape to seal theY cartons, cutting mechanism for cutting the tape after the same has been applied to the top of the carton so that the opposite portions of the tape are pendent from the ends of the carton, positive meansto press the said pendent portions of the adhesive tape against the ends Yof the carton at thefupper corner portions of the ends, and reversible wiping mechanism shiftable in one direction to wipe the pendent portion of the tape Vat the rear end of the carton against the said rear end and bottom of the carton, and to wipeY the pendent portion of the tape at the front end of the carton against Said front end and bottom of the carton. Y

6. A machine as claimed in claim 5, Yin which the positive means for applying the tape to the upper corner portions of the ends of the carton includes a preliminary operating wiper member acting on the pendent portion of the tape at the front end of the carton. Y Y Y 7. A machine as claimed in claim 5, in which the positive means for applying the tape at the upper corner portion at the Vfront and rear endsY of the carton includes a pressure roller of sponge rubber, the periphery Vof which is located below the plane of Vthe path of travel of the upper side of the carton.

kS. In a machine for applying sealing tape to cartons or the like, in combination, a carton conveyer,'a sealing tape applic-ator mechanism for applying sealing tape to cartons traveling on said oonveyer, means to cut the sealing tape so that pendent portions thereof depend past and from pendent portions thereof depend past and from the ends of the carton kwhich is being sealed by Y the tape, a reversible wiper mechanism comprising wiper parts shiftable in opposite directions to first wipe one depending end of the `tape against an end and bottom of the carton andV thereafter Ypress against the opposite end of the'tape applied to the carton, said reversible wiper mechanism including an endless chain, wiper brushes on said chain,` and means for imparting anaccelerated movement to the chainjin opposite directions to cause a corresponding movement of the wiper parts.

, 10. In a machine for applyingfsealing tape to cartons or the like, in combination, a carton conveyer, a sealing tape applicator mechanism for applying sealing tape to cartons traveling on said t conveyer, means to cut the sealing tape so that pendent portions thereof depend past and from the ends of the carton which is being sealed byV `the tape,V a reversible wiper'rnechanism comprising wiper parts shiftable in opposite direc- Y tions to first wipe one dependingY end of the tape an accelerated movement to the chain in oppol Y site directionscto cause a corresponding movement ofV the wiper parts, comprising a forward wipe lever operatively connected with said chain, and a back wipe lever operatively connected with Vthe chain, together with instrumentalities for timing the action of said levers from the con- I Veyel means.

ll. In Va 'machine for applying sealing tape to cartons or the like, in combination, carton con- Y veyor means formoving cartons through the machine, sealing tape applying means to supply and affix sealing tape to the carton lengthwise thereof at its top portion, instrumentalities for cuttingL the tape so that pendent portions thereof extendY Vdownwardly at the ends of the carton from the top thereof, means for preliminarily applying the v front cut pendent portion of the tape to the lower front corner and bottom portion of the carton, comprising a wiping instrumentality-to contact the tape and wipe it into sealing connection with the carton, and mechanismacting upon Vsaid front out portion of the tape after it is wiped into contact with the carton Vto subsequently press said portion of the tape against the part of the carton to which it is applied.

12. In a machine for applying sealing tape to cartons or the like, in combination, carton conveyor means for moving cartons through the machine, sealing tape applying means to supply and affix sealing tape to the carton lengthwise thereof at its top portion, instrumentalities for cutting the tape so that pendent portions thereof extend downwardly at the ends of thecarton from the top thereof, means for preliminarily applying the front cut pendent portion of the tape to the lower front corner and bottom portion of the c-arton, comprising a wiping instrumentality to contact the tape and wipe it into sealing connection with the carton, andV mechanism'for imparting a forward wiping applicator contact of the pendent portion of the tape at the rear end of the carton to the'adjacent end and bottomV portions of the carton and including wiper parts to act on the tape as above stated, together with operating devices for reversely moving said applicator parts to cause a wiping contact of the same on the front out pendent portion of the tape to accomplish for a, second time the rrn pressing of this portio-n of the tape in Contact With the bottom of the carton.

13. A machine as claimed in claim 12, combined with devices for causing the last mentioned applicator parts to move in reverse directions in order to eiect their wiping contacts with the front and rear portions of the tape in applying the latter to the front, rear, and bottom portions of the carton.

HARRY WILSON DYMENT. 

